Woman is charged with extortion

Published: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 5:09 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 5:09 p.m.

OCALA -- A woman accused of threatening another woman and demanding money from her was charged Tuesday with extortion.

Sebrina Denise Hampton, 46, was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

Hampton had been arrested May 16 on charges of organized fraud and grand theft. She was released the same day.

Another woman contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and said Hampton had told her she needed money for bail and attorney’s fees and if she did not pay her, Hampton was going to tell the State Attorney’s Office about her and she would be in trouble, according to reports.

Officials said the woman paid Hampton at least $300 in May. On Saturday, the woman said, Hampton told her she had to pay her $500 a month for four years and that she had papers for her to sign. The woman said she became frightened and reported the incident, reports note.

Sheriff’s officials began an undercover operation in which a meeting was arranged between the two women. Before that meeting, Hampton told the victim she needed to pay her $500 a month for six years and said she had gone to jail for her and needed to be compensated, according to reports.

The reports did not state whether or not the victim had any connection with the theft in which Hampton was charged.

During the operation, the victim met Hampton and gave her $500. Hampton was then given a form by the victim that stated in part that she would pay Hampton $600 a month for five years, starting June 14, for a total of $36,000, for the victim’s supposed involvement in the theft. Both women signed the document.

Inspector Mike Mongeluzzo, the lead investigator in the case, along with other major crimes detectives, then detained Hampton and Detective Rhonda Stroup recovered the cash.

Hampton declined to talk with authorities and was arrested. She was released from the jail Wednesday on $5,000 bond.

Charles Holloman is Hampton’s attorney and was asked to comment.

“Law enforcement officials are in a superior position of knowledge at this point, which makes it difficult to make any comment with any level of confidence,” he said.

<p>OCALA -- A woman accused of threatening another woman and demanding money from her was charged Tuesday with extortion.</p><p>Sebrina Denise Hampton, 46, was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.</p><p>Hampton had been arrested May 16 on charges of organized fraud and grand theft. She was released the same day.</p><p>Another woman contacted the Marion County Sheriff's Office and said Hampton had told her she needed money for bail and attorney's fees and if she did not pay her, Hampton was going to tell the State Attorney's Office about her and she would be in trouble, according to reports.</p><p>Officials said the woman paid Hampton at least $300 in May. On Saturday, the woman said, Hampton told her she had to pay her $500 a month for four years and that she had papers for her to sign. The woman said she became frightened and reported the incident, reports note.</p><p>Sheriff's officials began an undercover operation in which a meeting was arranged between the two women. Before that meeting, Hampton told the victim she needed to pay her $500 a month for six years and said she had gone to jail for her and needed to be compensated, according to reports.</p><p>The reports did not state whether or not the victim had any connection with the theft in which Hampton was charged.</p><p>During the operation, the victim met Hampton and gave her $500. Hampton was then given a form by the victim that stated in part that she would pay Hampton $600 a month for five years, starting June 14, for a total of $36,000, for the victim's supposed involvement in the theft. Both women signed the document.</p><p>Inspector Mike Mongeluzzo, the lead investigator in the case, along with other major crimes detectives, then detained Hampton and Detective Rhonda Stroup recovered the cash.</p><p>Hampton declined to talk with authorities and was arrested. She was released from the jail Wednesday on $5,000 bond.</p><p>Charles Holloman is Hampton's attorney and was asked to comment.</p><p>“Law enforcement officials are in a superior position of knowledge at this point, which makes it difficult to make any comment with any level of confidence,” he said.</p>